Dual structural and storage apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses and systems for more efficient construction and operations of a vehicle. A structural/storage system that includes a plurality of storage elements. Each of the storage elements includes a housing having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one opened end. The structural/storage system further includes first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface and second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface. The second attachment devices of a first one of the plurality of storage elements are configured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices of a second one of the plurality of storage elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Nos. 63/361,693, filed Jan. 14, 2022, and 63/361,792, filedJan. 24, 2022, which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to systems in need of storage andstructural support.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles include systems and structures that both add significant weightto the vehicle. In the case of an electric vehicle, the batteries canweigh over a couple of thousand pounds. Thus, along with all the otherstructural elements of a vehicle, the vehicle exhibits limitedefficiency.

SUMMARY

Apparatuses are disclosed for more efficient operations of a vehicle. Inone embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing having an outersurface, an inner surface, and at least one opened end. The apparatusalso includes first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface andsecond attachment devices disposed at the outer surface. The secondattachment devices are configured to be removably attachable to thefirst attachment devices.

In another embodiment, a structural/storage system that includes aplurality of storage elements. Each of the storage elements includes ahousing having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least oneopened end. The structural/storage system further includes firstattachment devices disposed at the outer surface and second attachmentdevices disposed at the outer surface. The second attachment devices ofa first one of the plurality of storage elements are configured to beremovably attachable to the first attachment devices of a second one ofthe plurality of storage elements.

In still another embodiment, a system that includes a load device, apower element configured to power the load device, and a plurality ofstorage elements. Each of the storage elements includes a housing havingan outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one opened end. Thestorage elements include first attachment devices disposed at the outersurface and second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface. Thesecond attachment devices of a first one of the plurality of storageelements are configured to be removably attachable to the firstattachment devices of a second one of the plurality of storage elements.

The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristicsof the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in anysuitable manner in one or more examples and/or implementations. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided to imparta thorough understanding of examples of the subject matter of thepresent disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize thatthe subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced withoutone or more of the specific features, details, components, materials,and/or methods of a particular example or implementation. In otherinstances, additional features and advantages may be recognized incertain examples and/or implementations that may not be present in allexamples or implementations. Further, in some instances, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the presentdisclosure. The features and advantages of the subject matter of thepresent disclosure will become more fully apparent from the followingdescription and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of thesubject matter as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the subject matter brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific examples thatare illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, depict only certainexamples of the subject matter and are not therefore to be considered tobe limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of components of a vehicle, accordingto one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a structural and storage element used inthe vehicle of FIG. 1 , according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the element of FIG. 2 , according toone or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of attached structural and storage elementsused in the vehicle of FIG. 1 , according to one or more examples of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the elements of FIG. 4 , accordingto one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stacked structural and storageelements used in the vehicle of FIG. 1 , according to one or moreexamples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the elements of FIG. 6 , accordingto one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stacked structural and storageelements used in the vehicle of FIG. 1 , according to one or moreexamples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the elements of FIG. 8 , accordingto one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vehicle with structural and storageelements, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle of FIG. 10 , accordingto one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle with structuraland storage elements, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a vehicle component attached to one ofthe structural and storage elements of the vehicle of FIG. 12 ,according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an aircraft with a structural andstorage system, according to one or more examples of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aircraft of FIG.14 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the structural and storage systemused in the aircraft of FIG. 14 , according to one or more examples ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a storage element, according to one ormore examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the storage element of FIG. 17 beingreceived in a modular structural element, according to one or moreexamples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the storage element of FIG. 17 beingreceived in a modular structural element, according to one or moreexamples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the storage element of FIG. 17 receivedwithin a modular structural element, according to one or more examplesof the present disclosure; and

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the storage element of FIG. 17 received withina modular structural element, according to one or more examples of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “an example,”or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the example is included inat least one example of the present disclosure. Appearances of thephrases “in one example,” “in an example,” and similar languagethroughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer tothe same example. Similarly, the use of the term “implementation” meansan implementation having a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with one or more examples of thepresent disclosure, however, absent an express correlation to indicateotherwise, an implementation may be associated with one or moreexamples.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” “anembodiment” or similar language means that a particular structure orcharacteristic feature described in connection with the embodiment isincluded in at least one embodiment of the disclosed invention.Furthermore, the described structures or characteristics of theinvention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areprovided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments of thedisclosed invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize,however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of thespecific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and soforth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, oroperations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuringaspects of the invention.

Exemplary apparatuses and systems, disclosed herein, include dualstructural and storage devices that are used to provide storage andstructural integrity.

Referring to FIG. 1 , in various embodiments, a vehicle 20 includes aload device 22 and a power source/vehicle structural system 24 thathouses a stored element 30 (material (e.g., fuel) or device (e.g.,batteries)). The power source/vehicle structural system 24 providessecure housing for the stored element 30 and provides structuralintegrity for the vehicle 20. In various embodiments, the stored element30 may be fuel, fuel cells, batteries, or any system component, notlimited to a power source. The load device 22 is any device thatreceives the stored element 30 (material) stored in the powersource/vehicle structural system 24 or electrical power/current producedby the stored element 30.

Given by way of non-limiting example, in various embodiments the vehicle20 may include a motor vehicle driven by wheels and/or tracks, such as,without limitation, an automobile, a truck, a sport utility vehicle(SUV), a van, and the like. Given by way of further non-limitingexamples, in various embodiments the vehicle 20 may include a marinevessel such as, without limitation, a boat, a ship, a submarine, asubmersible, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), and the like. Givenby way of further non-limiting examples, in various embodiments thevehicle 20 may include an aircraft such as, without limitation, a fixedwing aircraft, a rotary wing aircraft, a lighter-than-air (LTA) craft,and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , in various embodiments the powersource/vehicle structural system 24 includes a molded, machined,extruded, or digitally printed interlocking modular structural element36 having open ends. The structural element 36 may be made of aluminum,magnesium, polymers, or comparable formable metals and/or plastics.

In various embodiments, referring to FIG. 3 , the structural element 36has a rectangular cross section, but other polygonal or non-polygonalshapes may be used. An inside surface of the structural element 36 isshaped to receive whatever stored element 30 is to be received withinthe structural element 36. The inside surface of the illustratedstructural element 36 includes contours for receiving round/cylindricalbattery cells, but could be configured for rectangular battery cells, ordifferently shaped contents.

In various embodiments, orthogonally adjacent outer surfaces of thestructural element 36 include one or more locking slots 40. The otherorthogonally adjacent outer surfaces include locking protrusion ridges44 that are configured to be received by the locking slots 40 of otherstructural elements 36 that are to be attached thereto. The lockingprotrusion ridges 44 may be slid into the slots 40 or snap fitted intothe slots 40. Other linking structures may be used for attachingadjacent structural elements 36.

In various embodiments, the structural elements 36 allow for air coolingof the batteries or other contents. For example, the structural elements36 provide dedicated open spaces for airflow between battery cells downthe entire length of the interior of the structural elements 36.

In various embodiments, once the stored element 30 is received withinthe structural element 36, the structural element 36 may be cappedand/or sealed at the open end(s). The cap or seal of the structuralelement 36 or the structural element 36 may include access ports forelectrical leads, fluid, airflow, or the like. In the example ofbatteries being sealed within the structural element 36, anenvironmental management unit 26 (FIG. 1 ) may control environmentalconditions, such as, without limitation, heating, cooling, or humidity,within the structural elements 36 based on status of the contents (e.g.,batteries).

Referring to FIGS. 4-9 , in various embodiments, the interlockingmodular structural elements 36 may be attached at their shortest sides(FIGS. 4 and 5 ), at their longest sides (FIGS. 6 and 7 ), at a shortestside of the one interlocking modular structural element 36 attached tothe longest side of another interlocking modular structural element 36(FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Using the interlocking modular structural elements 36and the locking structures (the locking slots 30 and the blockingprotrusion ridges 44) a user may attach the interlocking modularstructural elements 36 according to the application (i.e., vehicle orstructure).

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 7 , the structuralelements 36 include beveled corner edges 42. Other shapes may be used atthe corners, such as radius or notched. The structural elements 36 maybe attached to each other such that the beveled corner edge 42 of one ofthe functional elements 36 is located adjacent the beveled corner edge42 of the adjacently attached structural element 36, thereby forming aV-shaped groove 50. The V-shaped groove 50 is configured to receive anadhesive or a weld depending upon the type of material of the structuralelements 36. The adhesive/weld adds additional bonding betweenadjacently attached structural elements 36. Adhesives may also beapplied between the outer surfaces, the slots 40, and/or the ridges 44of adjacently attached structural elements 36.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 , in various embodiments, the interlockingmodular structural elements 36 may be formed into a chassis 82 for avehicle 80, such as, without limitation, a skateboard design. Thestrength of the interlocking modular structural elements 36 and thelocking structures provide support for a body of the vehicle 80.

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 , the chassis 82may have portions of the structural elements 36 removed, such as acutout 86, for allowing components 90 of the vehicle 80 to pass from oneside of the chassis 82 to another side of the chassis 82. The components90 may include grooves or protrusions similar to the locking slots 40and the locking protrusion ridges 44, thereby allowing the components 90to be attached directly to the outer surfaces of the structural elements36 of the chassis 82.

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 14-16 , the interlockingmodular structural elements 36 may be used in an aircraft 100. Inparticular, the interlocking modular structural elements 36 may beformed to create a frame structure for components of the aircraft 100.For example, the interlocking modular structural elements 36 may form aframe structure 104 for a wing 100. If the equipment 100 is usingelectric motors, such as propeller motors or ducted fan motors, theinterlocking modular structural elements 36 may be used in place oftraditional structural elements thereby offsetting the weight ofbatteries that will be inserted within the interlocking modularstructural elements 36.

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 17-21 , the interlockingmodular structural elements 36 may be located in a wing or other airfoilat the open space on either side of lift thrust devices embedded in thewing or airfoil. The interlocking modular structural elements 36 may beused as to house batteries or fuel storage devices. The interlockingmodular structural elements 36 may be round or rectangular in shape thatcould run the entire length of the wings and/or fuselage. Referring toFIG. 17 , a stored element 120 includes a plurality of individualstorage devices 122. As illustrated, the individual storage devices 122are cylindrical and an inner surface of the structural element 36 isshaped to receive the stored element 120 and the plurality of thecylindrical storage devices 122. Referring to FIGS. 18-20 , the storedelement 120 is slidably received into the structural element 36.Referring to FIG. 21 , once the stored element 120 is fully receivedwithin the structural element 36, longitudinal grooves 124 are locatedbetween some of the storage devices 122 for allowing for heating orcooling as performed by air to pass therebetween, for example.

Embodiments

A. An apparatus comprising: a housing comprising: an outer surface; aninner surface; and at least one opened end; first attachment devicesdisposed at the outer surface; and second attachment devices disposed atthe outer surface, the second attachment devices are configured to beremovably attachable to the first attachment devices.

B. The apparatus of A, wherein a cross-section of the housing is apolygon.

C. The apparatus of any of A or B, wherein the housing is configured toprovide structural support for a system.

D. The apparatus of C, wherein the housing is configured to receive aplurality of batteries within a cavity.

E. The apparatus of D, wherein the housing further comprises a pluralityof cooling channels between the plurality of batteries within thecavity.

F. The apparatus of any of A-E, wherein the housing comprises arectangular cross section.

G. The apparatus of F, wherein: the first attachment devices aredisposed on first and second orthogonally adjacent sides of the housing;and the second attachment devices are disposed on third and fourthorthogonally adjacent sides of the housing.

H. The apparatus of any of A-G, wherein the housing comprises beveledcorners.

I. A structural/storage system comprising: a plurality of storageelements, each of the storage elements comprising: a housing comprising:an outer surface; an inner surface; and at least one opened end; firstattachment devices disposed at the outer surface; and second attachmentdevices disposed at the outer surface, wherein the second attachmentdevices of a first one of the plurality of storage elements areconfigured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices ofa second one of the plurality of storage elements.

J. The system of I, wherein a cross-section of the plurality of storageelements is a polygon.

K. The system of any of I or J, wherein the plurality of storageelements are configured to provide structural support for an associatedsystem.

L. The system of K, wherein the associated system includes a vehicle.

M. The system of any of K or L, wherein at least a portion of thestorage elements are configured to receive a plurality of batterieswithin a cavity of the respective housing.

N. The system of any of I-M, wherein the housing further comprises aplurality of cooling channels between the plurality of batteries withinthe cavity.

O. The system of any of I-N, wherein the housing comprises a rectangularcross section.

P. The system of P, wherein: the first attachment devices are disposedon first and second orthogonally adjacent sides of the housing; and thesecond attachment devices are disposed on third and fourth orthogonallyadjacent sides of the housing.

Q. The system of any of O or P, wherein the housing comprises beveledcorners.

R. A system comprising: a load device; a power element configured topower the load device; and a plurality of storage elements, each of thestorage elements comprising: a housing comprising: an outer surface; aninner surface; and at least one opened end; first attachment devicesdisposed at the outer surface; and second attachment devices disposed atthe outer surface, wherein the second attachment devices of a first oneof the plurality of storage elements are configured to be removablyattachable to the first attachment devices of a second one of theplurality of storage elements.

S. The system of R, wherein the storage elements are configured toprovide structural support for the system.

T. The system of R or S, wherein the load device comprises an electricmotor, the power element comprises a plurality of batteries.

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art willappreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed inany order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in asequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may beperformed in other orders than those which are illustrated or may beperformed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may includeoverlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental,preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variantorderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like“responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives aregenerally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictatesotherwise.

In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,”“down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,”“over,” “under” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, toprovide some clarity of description when dealing with relativerelationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absoluterelationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respectto an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply byturning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object.Further, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variationsthereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specifiedotherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or allof the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unlessexpressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also referto “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. Further, the term“plurality” can be defined as “at least two.” Moreover, unless otherwisenoted, as defined herein a plurality of particular features does notnecessarily mean every particular feature of an entire set or class ofthe particular features.

Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is“coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling.Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in somecontact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined ascoupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other buthaving one or more additional elements between the coupled elements.Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element caninclude direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as usedherein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, oneelement can be adjacent another element without being in contact withthat element.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list ofitems, means different combinations of one or more of the listed itemsmay be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. Theitem may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “atleast one of” means any combination of items or number of items may beused from the list, but not all of the items in the list may berequired. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” maymean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; oritem B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, anditem C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one ofitem B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or someother suitable combination.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are usedherein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal,positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which theseterms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does notrequire or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbereditem, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element,component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function isindeed capable of performing the specified function without anyalteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specifiedfunction after further modification. In other words, the system,apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware“configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected,created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for thepurpose of performing the specified function. As used herein,“configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus,structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable thesystem, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardwareto perform the specified function without further modification. Forpurposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article,element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to”perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively bedescribed as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” performthat function.

The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed examples are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced withintheir scope.

1. An apparatus comprising: a housing comprising: an outer surface; aninner surface; and at least one opened end; first attachment devicesdisposed at the outer surface; and second attachment devices disposed atthe outer surface, the second attachment devices are configured to beremovably attachable to the first attachment devices.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the housing is a polygon.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to providestructural support for a system.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, whereinthe housing is configured to sealably receive a plurality of batterieswithin a cavity.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the housingfurther comprises a plurality N of cooling channels between theplurality of batteries within the cavity.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the housing comprises a rectangular cross section.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein: the first attachment devices are disposedon first and second orthogonally adjacent sides of the housing; and thesecond attachment devices are disposed on third and fourth orthogonallyadjacent sides of the housing.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein thehousing comprises beveled corners configured to receive an adhesive. 9.A structural/storage system comprising: a plurality of storage elements,each of the storage elements comprising: a housing comprising: an outersurface; an inner surface; and at least one opened end; first attachmentdevices disposed at the outer surface; and second attachment devicesdisposed at the outer surface, wherein the second attachment devices ofa first one of the plurality of storage elements are configured to beremovably attachable to the first attachment devices of a second one ofthe plurality of storage elements.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein across-section of the plurality of storage N elements is a polygon. 11.The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of storage elements areconfigured to provide structural support for an associated system. 12.The system of claim 11, wherein the associated system includes avehicle.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of thestorage elements are configured to receive a plurality of batterieswithin a cavity of the respective housing.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of cooling channelsbetween the plurality of batteries within the cavity.
 15. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the housing comprises a rectangular cross section. 16.The system of claim 15, wherein: the first attachment devices aredisposed on first and second orthogonally adjacent sides of the housing;and the second attachment devices are disposed on third and fourthorthogonally adjacent sides of the housing.
 17. The system of claim 15,wherein the housing comprises beveled corners configured to receive anadhesive.
 18. A system comprising: a load device; N a power elementconfigured to power the load device; and a plurality of storageelements, each of the storage elements comprising: a housing comprising:an outer surface; an inner surface; and at least one opened end; firstattachment devices disposed at the outer surface; and second attachmentdevices disposed at the outer surface, wherein the second attachmentdevices of a first one of the plurality of storage elements areconfigured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices ofa second one of the plurality of storage elements.
 19. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the storage elements are configured to providestructural support for the system.
 20. The system of claim 18, whereinthe load device comprises an electric motor, the power element comprisesa plurality of batteries.